Name: Easy Creamy Cucumber Salad
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 10 min
Cuisine: Polish
Ingredients: 2 large English cucumbers, cut into thin slices; ¼-½ medium red onion, cut into thin slices; ½ cup (118 ml) sour cream; 2 tbsp mayonnaise; ½ tbsp red wine vinegar; 1 tbsp fresh dill, chopped; ¼ tsp garlic powder or 1 fresh garlic, finely minced; ½ tsp white sugar or honey; Salt and pepper to taste

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This creamy cucumber salad is a refreshing and satisfying dish, perfect for hot summer days or as a light side for any meal. It pairs wonderfully well with grilled meats or fish making it the perfect summer salad.

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A bowl of sliced English cucumbers and sliced red onion tossed in a sour cream dressing.

Ingredients In a Creamy Cucumber Salad

Cucumbers. English or Persian cucumbers are ideal for their thin skin and fewer seeds. They also tend to be sweeter than regular cucumbers. If you decide to use regular cucumbers, just make sure to peel them and remove their seeds.
Red onion. Thinly sliced red onion adds a bit of sharpness and color contrast. If you want to remove some of its strong flavor you can soak it in water for about 5 minutes and then drain it before adding it to the salad.
Sour cream. It provides a creamy and tangy base for the dressing. For a lighter option use plain Greek yogurt instead of the sour cream. The dressing won’t be as creamy but it will still give you a great dressing.
Mayonnaise. It adds a small amount of creaminess and extra flavor. It is optional, so feel free to skip it if you’re not a fan.
Vinegar. It brightens up the flavor of the dressing and it thins out the sour cream a bit. You can use your favorite vinegar or substitute it with some lemon juice.
Dill. Fresh dill adds brightness and a delicious herby flavor that complements the cucumbers perfectly. You can also use other herbs like basil or parsley.
Garlic. It adds flavor and depth. I prefer to use garlic powder because it blends easier with the rest of the ingredients for the dressing, but you can also use fresh minced garlic.
White sugar. Only a small amount is used to balance the flavors. You can also use a drizzle of honey.
Salt and pepper. Essential for seasoning the salad to taste.

Ingredients for a creamy cucumber salad, which include, English cucumbers, red onion, red wine vinegar, fresh dill, garlic powder, white sugar, salt, and pepper.

How To Make Creamy Cucumber Salad

This is one of the easiest salads you can make and it only takes 10 minutes to put together!

Make the dressing by stirring together the sour cream, mayonnaise, vinegar, fresh dill, garlic powder, sugar, salt and pepper.
Cut the cucumbers and red onion into thin slices and place them in a big bowl.
Add the dressing and mix well to evenly coat the cucumbers and red onion. Serve immediately.

Creamy Cucumber Salad Video

A small bowl of sour cream dressing for a creamy cucumber salad.

Which Cucumbers Can Be Used For Salads?

There are many different types of cucumbers available that you can use depending on your taste and availability. These are some of the most common.

English cucumbers. They come with a thin, delicate skin that does not need to be peeled before eating, which is the reason why they are usually wrapped in plastic. Sometimes they are seedless or their seeds are very small, so you don’t have to remove them. They also have a beautiful sweet flavor that goes very well with any salad.
Persian cucumbers. Think of them as mini English cucumbers. Both are very similar in texture and taste and can be used interchangeably.
Regular or common cucumbers. These are the standard cucumbers that are found at most grocery stores. They have a smoother, darker skin that should be peeled off before eating. Their seeds are also larger and should also be removed.

A large salad bowl with sliced English cucumbers and sliced red onion.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I store cucumber salad in the refrigerator?

The short answer is yes. But, over time, it will get watery due to the salt that we’re using in the dressing.

Some recommend storing this salad in the fridge for a few hours to let the flavors blend, and even though this is partially true, the fact is, after a couple of hours the cucumbers will start releasing moisture making the salad watery. That is why I think this salad is best when served as soon as you mix everything in the salad bowl.

Having said that, you can still keep any leftovers covered in the fridge for about 3-4 days. However, keep in mind that it will not be as creamy and you will probably have to drain out most of the liquid before serving.

Can I keep cucumbers from getting soggy in a salad?

You can try placing the sliced cucumbers in a bowl and sprinkling them with salt to get some of the moisture out before mixing them with any dressing. It does work somewhat but I find that the cucumbers end up losing some of their texture.

I have also tried patting them dry with a paper towel before putting the salad together, but since the cucumbers release water over time, the longer they sit, the watery they will get. 🤷🏻‍♀️

Tools Needed For Making a Creamy Cucumber Salad

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